IT & Network Infrastructure : Intel, HP, Microsoft on Display at National Retail Federation Show

Intel, HP, Microsoft on Display at National Retail Federation Show

by Scott Ferguson

The National Retail Federation Convention and Expo officially kicked off Jan. 9 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. This year, the show rebounded from a dismal turnout in 2010, when concerns about the economy and sagging consumer sales kept many people from attending. This year, however, a feeling of cautious optimism circulated around the showroom floor as the economy begins to improve and customers slowly begin returning to stores. In response, many of the top IT companies, such as IBM, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Microsoft, Motorola and Intel rolled out large displays to demonstrate a wide range of technologies, including point-of-sale machines, CRM software, analytics and mobile devices. Intel put on one of the more impressive displays with a large-screen display that allowed customers to shop virtually for Adidas shoes. Here, eWEEK took a look at some of the technology that is making its way into the retail space and how IT is changing the way customers shop both online and in traditional stores.